Ivar the Boneless
The real Ivar the Boneless was even scarier than his ‘Vikings’ character If you’re a fan of Vikings, the History channel’s ridiculously binge-worthy series, then you’re doubtless familiar with the name “Ivar the Boneless.” Just in case you’re not, here’s a little Ivar 101. Ivar the Boneless, aka Ivar Ragnarsson, was an actual historical figure. We know this both from his fame in Old Norse legends, where he was revered as a godlike warrior, and from British sources, which considered him a demon straight outta the depths of hell. The Norse Saga of Ragnar Lodbrok records that Ivar the Boneless was the son of the famed Viking warrior Ragnar Lodbrok and his wife Aslaug. Ivar cashed in on being born as the son of an already legendary father by going on to become one of the fiercest, most feared warriors in Viking history. But how much historical truth is there to the way his character is portrayed on Vikings? Let’s take a look at what history has to say about it. What’s with the nickna...